John gisbl



(No Model.)

J. GISEL.

A TARGET. No. 387,411, Patented Aug. 7, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PnrENr Ormea.

JOHN GISEL, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,411, dated August '7, 1888. Application tiled May 31, 1888. Serial No. 275.530. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN GrsEL, of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Targets, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionv relates to that class of targets which consist of an endless traveling band or belt, to which are attached plates representing birds or other objects to be shot at, and more particularly t0 a target in which the objects are pivoted to the endless band and are capable of tilting inwardly, so that they will be overturned when struck bya bullet.

The object of my invention is to provide a target of this character with simple means whereby the objects mounted upon the traveling band are automatically replaced in their upright position when overthrown; and theinvention consists to that end of the improvement which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of my improved target. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-section thereof, on an enlarged scale, showing one of the plates overthrown and the guide whereby the same is automatically returned to its normal position. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the plate in an upright position.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several iigures A represents a rectangular box or casing inclosing the parts of the target, which is mounted upon legs a, or is otherwise supported. A portion of the front wall of this box or casing is cut away to form an opening, through which the objects attach ed to the band are exposed, the portions of said wall on opposite sides of the opening being preferably painted in imitation of treesY or bushes, as shown.

B represents the horizontal traveling band orbeltrunningaroundpulleysb,arrangedinthe corners of the casing A,and to which the plates O, representing the birds or other animals or objects are attached. Intermediate guideroll ers, b,are preferably arranged on the inner side of the portion of the endless band, arranged parallel with the front wall of the casing, so as to prevent the band from beiugunduly deflected at this point. The plates C are hinged at their lower ends to supports or uprights D, which are secured `to the outer side of the endless band, and the plates are capable of swinging inwardly into a horizontal position, as represented in Fig. 2. The supports D are provided at their lower ends with grooved rollers e, which run upon a rectangular track, f, secured to the bottom of` the box A and arranged parallel with the sides of the latter. The plates C are each provided on their outer sides with a spring, g, which engages with its lower indented end in a notch, g', formed in the upper portion of the support D, and holds the plate in its normal or vertical position and prevents the same from being moved outwardly beyond this position. Each support D is formed at its'upper end with a head or enlargement, d', having a curved face, over which the lower indented portion of the spring g rides in raising the plate to an upright position. The springs g are stiff enough to retain the plates C in an upright position under ordinary circumstances, but are at the same time light enough to release the plates O andallow them to swing inwardly when struck by a bullet.

H represents a guide arranged on the inner side of that portion of the endless band running parallel with the front wall of the casing A and at about the same height as the endless band, so that the overthrown plates Cwill fall upon said guide and be supported thereon, as represented in Fig. 2. The guide His provided at the end toward which the plates or objects C move with a cam or incline, I, which extends upwardly from the horizontal portion of the guideA and terminates at a point located above the adjacent side portion, i, of the endless band, as clearly shown in the drawings. The overturned plate moves along upon the guideH in a horizontal position until it strikes the cam or incline l, and in riding over the latter it is gradually raised and tilted outwardly until it assumes the upright position illustrated in Fig. 3. When the plate has assumed a vertical position the indented end of the spring g enters the notch g and holds the plate in place. In this manner the plates are automatically replaced when overthrown and are again in an upright position when they pass the opening in the front wall of the casing at the next revolution of the band.

IOO

The endless belt is driven bya crank-wheel,

J, inounted on a horizontal shaft, j, having;l a

bevel-Wheel, Ir, which meshes` with a similar Wheel, t, secured to the shaft of one ol' the pulleys b, preferably to the shalt of one ot' the rear pulleys, as shown in Fig. l.

A plate or shield, L. painted in imitation ol trees or shrubs, is arranged in t'ront of the rear portion of the endless band in line with the Io opening in the i'ront Wall of the casing, so as to conceal the objects on the retreating portion of the endless band and prevent the saine from being struck.

l. In a target, the Combination, With a traveling band and a plate hinged thereto and representing an animal or other object, of aguide whereby said plate is automatically returned to its normal position when overthrown, substantially as set forth.

2. In a target', the combination, with au eudless traveling baud and a plate hinged to said baud and representing au aniinul or other obA ject, of a eani or inclined Lsfuide arranged on the inner side ol" said endless band, whereby the hinged plate is automatically returned to its norinal position when overthrown, substantially as set forth.

3. In a target, the combination, with the eudless band B, running around suitable pulleys, of a plate, C, hinged with its lower end to said band and rcpresenting` an animal or other obvieet, and a guide, Il, arranged in rear of the front portion of said band and provided at one end with a cani or incline, I, substantially as set forth.

4. In a target, the coinbination,with the endless band running around suitable pulleys, ol' a support or standard, D, secured thereto,and a plate, C, hinged to said support and provided with a spring, g, engaging with its end 1n a notch or recess formed in said support, substantially as set forth.

5. In a targeathe combination, with the endless band ru nning,` around suitable pulleys, of a support or staiulard, D, secured thereto and provided at its lower end with a roller, and a plate, C, hinged tosaid support and provided with a spring, y, engaging with its end in a notch or recess formed in said support, substantially as set lorth.

Witness niy hand this 25th day ot' May,l.888.

JOHN GISEL. Witnesses:

CARL F. Geven, C. D. Howe. 

